Tonga
Tonga has been an integral part of RAMSI since it began in July 2003. Tongan police, military and civilians work across RAMSI’s many facets to help provide support to their friends and regional neighbours from Solomon Islands.
The Royal Tongan Police commits a large number of nine police officers to deploy to the Solomon Islands every 12 months. They bring with them a very strong team approach with other Participating Police Force Advisers from neighbouring countries.
Both the men and women of this police force bring with them a great deal of experience from working and studying throughout the Pacific region, including Australian and New Zealand.
This team have a great professional attitude that they bring to the Solomon Islands and are very proud to be representing their country.
Many of these police officers have had the opportunity to serve out in the provincial policing stations around the Solomon Islands. Engaging themselves in the Solomon Islands culture, educating children in schools and the community, joint patrols with local officers and promotion of crime prevention is just a small example of the efforts made here.
Their skills of building relationships with both their counterparts and the Solomon Islands community will only benefit the Royal Tongan Police force on their return from serving 12 months here in the Solomon Islands.
-
From Tofoa, in the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa, Pita Tahitu’a is an officer in the Royal Tongan Police.
Pita Tahitu’a began his 12-month deployment as a RAMSI Participating Police Force Adviser in December 2009.
Pita has worked in Auki, the capital of Malaita Province, as well as a member of the RAMSI Community Policing team, and in general duties at Central Police Station in Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara.
From Tofoa in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, Pita is a member of the Royal Tongan Police, and takes a strong team approach with other Participating Police Force Advisers from more than 15 Pacific nations. Pita has also found time around his work schedule to teach Solomon Islanders more about his passion, rugby.